Kid friendly mixed flock?

[HSerChickLady]

Yes, in most cases the more they're handled the friendlier they will be. Some breeds will still be more skittish or aggressive however just because of what they are and some can change with time.

Quote:

Isn't it true the more the birds are handled from day one, the friendlier they will be ..... in most cases?

 

[kara_leigh]

I have a HUGE mix of breeds in my flock. I have 6 sex links, 4 Ameraucanas, 2 Barred Rocks, 3 Buff Orpingtons, 3 Speckled Sussex, 1 Polish Crest, and 2 Polish-Ameraucana crosses. They are from 4 different purchases/ages, and they all get along really well. I've had great success in integrating them. You had asked if Buffs will get picked on...in fact, two of my Buffs are pretty big bullies to the others. My other Buff is a huge softie. My Buffs are the most aggressive when it comes to food.

 

[wing]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a good feeling about mixing our flock. I hope that it is harmonious. Good suggestion about getting a different breed of a white bird. That's the answer!!! Woohooo. I'm thinking a White Rock. Perfect. Our local hardware store is offering a bunch of choices of breeds, so I think we will get them there. I'd still love to have a Silkie, but not sure where to find just one. Maybe as I get more involved in the "chicken community" around here I'll come across some.

We built our brooder box over the weekend and will be starting on our coop soon. The coop we want will be a smaller on, up off the ground. Does anyone have any suggestions from personal experience on what we should include in our design?

 

[themenagerie]

Just make it twice as big as you think you will need.



Just wanted to add that I have a pretty mixed flock of Buff Orps, Barred Rocks, Easter Eggers, Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex, Australorp, Welsummers and BBS Orps and they all get along well. I think the bossiest of my groups are my BO's and BR's but not one of them is aggressive. I have two Orp roos and a Welsummer Roo and they're both laid back too.

 

[erinangele]

We have 6 different breeds and they all get along fine. Our RIR is the most aggressive (she will occasionally peck us pretty hard out of curiosity). The rest don't really peck, and if they do it's softly. We have a Delaware, Light Brahma, Rhode Island Red, Speckled Sussex (my sweetest!), Easter Egger, and a Golden Laced Wyandotte. I have a 3 1/2 year old who loves to collect the eggs

 

[jondee]

I've really enjoyed reading and learning on these threads

. Just for the sake of adding some input, I'll add that my little flock of 10 hens consists of 3 RIRs, 2 BOs, 2 NH Reds, and 3 EEs. The RIRs are definitely more aggressive than my other hens. While they're not a huge problem, my younger boys (7 and 10) know that if any of the free-ranging hens is going to peck at their bare feet, it will be the RIRs. They're also the top dogs in the pecking order. The BOs are delightfully mellow puffballs, the NHRs are friendly and more inquisitive than the BOs, and the 3 EEs, while pretty and layers of beautiful eggs, are flighty and a bit more nervous. I bought them as 6-weekers, not as tiny chicks that ended up being handled a lot, and I wonder if that accounts for their personalities.

In any case, it's really fun having a little mixed flock. They're interesting to watch

.

Joni in CA